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"When they allow a talk show host to play them like a two-dollar banjo, they demonstrate what kind of backbone they'll bring to the job later on, if we elect them. After they get elected will they continue to allow Jeff Crank to put a nickel in them and wind them up every Saturday morning?"

Barry Noreen, former columnist, Colorado Springs Gazette

"There's a lot of talent there" - Shannon Fowler

Monday, August 3, 2009

“Controversial Issues- This Week’s Top 40” by John Alexander MadisonAugust 3, 2009

Can you answer the following questions correctly?

Should felons be allowed to vote?Should the death penalty be banned?Is the ACLU good for America?Should prostitution be legal?Should marijuana be legalized in America?Should juveniles be subject to the death penalty?Should the words “under God” be in the United States Pledge of Allegiance?Should animal experimentation for medical research be allowed to continue?Do electronic voting machines improve the election process?Do the names “Pelosi, Frank, Waxman, Franken, Dodd, Kennedy, et al” make you wish Congress had term limits?

Should parental spanking of a child be a crime?Should cloning research and genetic engineering be allowed?Should gun ownership be banned?Should marijuana be a medical option?Should the government mandate what foods we eat in order to promote better health?Should women be allowed to serve in combat?Should prayer be allowed in public schools?Is the United States becoming a socialistic government?Should internet sales be taxed?Generally speaking, is the media more liberal than conservative?

Should the military draft be reinstated?Is affirmative action a good thing?Should euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide be legal?Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age?Should cigarette smoking be illegal?Does racism exits in America?Do illegal immigrants have rights?Should enemy combatants have any rights?Do the unborn have any rights?Do you believe our country has created too much debt?

Should hate crimes be punished more severely?Is abortion a right?Is global warming a reality?Should the United States have open borders?Should population growth be controlled by the federal government?Should English be declared the official language of the United States?Should sex education be taught in schools?Are professional athletes and Hollywood actors making too much money?Is teenage pregnancy among unwed mothers a problem?Generally speaking, are you happy?

Correct answers: 20 yes, 20 no. Each group of questions has 5 yes and 5 no answers.

EPILOGUEWell, actually, that’s my view. Whether we agree on each and every answer is not important. What is important is whether you were able to answer these questions. Do you have an opinion on these critical issues? If you don’t I hope you will research the pros and cons and formulate your opinions. Admittedly, some of the questions are not that easy to answer. The fact is we may not agree on all of these issues but isn’t it our civic duty to develop opinions, share our views and reach consensus where possible? If you “properly answered” 30 or more questions you have passed…if not, you have some thinking to do.